I have moved all of my plants from the driveway to the front porch, where they now are just outside my bedroom window. This was certainly not the first theft here and probably won't be the last. Like Alabamanicole, I had once been waiting for some fully ripened pears only to go out to harvest them and found the entire tree stripped. We are living in curious times today, a time where theft is almost socially acceptable and even encouraged among the young. Too, between the city police, county police, state patrol, sheriffs, and school police, I have never seen so many law enforcement officers and vehicles, yet crime continues to spiral out of control while violent crime rises daily. Yes, I do see this as just another sign of the times and the police are overwhelmed. Most of the folks who come to my home have been overwhelmingly friendly and possessing nothing but good intent, but I doubt if I will be selling plants next year, it's just to much of an invitation for those with other intents. Now, when I hear folks walking on my front porch without knocking or ringing the bell, it makes me mighty nervous. The trouble is not one of whether or not I have reported this, but more an issue of our most fundamental values, social mores with family and community, and even our institutions no longer teaching or upholding the historical, fundamental values that were once the framework of our country and its people. This affects us all, but the concept of placing the load on the police as society declines and traditional constructs are lost, leads inevitably to a big brother state, not one of a country of, by and for the people. The problem is US...and has been throughout the history of great nations. The solution must come from within, but maybe things like shoplifting, thefts, home invasions, disrespect, and a generalized anger are simply a sign.

You can borrow up to 50% of your vested 401k account up to $50,000. I believe the major drawback of borrowing from your 401k is that you miss out on the compounding of interest. There's no actual penalty other than that provided you pay it all back. You pay yourself back with automatic monthly payments over 5 years with interest (the interest is to yourself as well). Now, I believe that if you're not earning much in that 401k, its not so bad. If the choice is between borrowing from your 401k or a credit card with 20% interest, then I'd go the 401k. But, ideally you should start saving an emergency fund for these kind of things. I didn't check the link to Suze's page, but I know she's dead set against this. I think sometimes she's a bit harsh. JMO. Here is a link that might be useful: Smart Money

Pammy; you should get something in writing; especially with all of these wacky storms we're having. The neighbor could easily go to a storage unit. You can bet most people would put a claim into your home owners. Raising my hand! Had a neighbor that baby sat my daughter; she liked a few things I had; kind of talked me into letting her use /borrow toys; table; sewing machine.. She turned around & sold it at a yard sale a few months later & denied table & sewing machine were on loan. We had a neighbor at our old house that we did a lot with. The tools they didn't have we did; what we didn't; they did. It was a great relationship too; my hub helped them & their hub helped us. When the neighbor helped my hub; I cooked dinner for both families & would bathe the kids so the mom could relax because I was appreciative of the help. To this day; I can't believe what happened over an iron. I do not iron much; but I'm pretty sure I'd recently used it with no issues. I normally wash the fabric; then iron & cut the pattern out. The iron at this point was probably close to 10 years old; but even the box was in great shape. I take care of my stuff & it lasts. Neighbor borrowed my iron & when I went to use it next; it didn't work. I was making bibs for the neighbor. I wasn't able to just jump in my car & replace it. I was still recovering from my huge back surgery; was down close to 8 months. I saw her come home from Walmart with a new iron. Here I'm not driving; making bibs for 2 of the kids; I would have gladly given her a $20 to pick up a similar iron to what I had but she never offered anything. I didn't expect her to replace the iron; I was more hurt that she didn't ask if I wanted her to pick up a new one while she was out. The story was that my iron didn't work when she used it. What I did not understand is why no one bothered to tell me it wasn't working. Wish I remember how I got to the store to buy a new one. It bites but if you break something (anything) you borrowed don't you replace it? The solution should be discussed. In the case of something expensive; neighbor should have at least offered to get an estimate on repairs; then take it from there This post was edited by roselvr on Sat, Jun 8, 13 at 12:30

Back when we planned our 2001 house, I haunted GW constantly. That time I learned about the value of lots of drawers and got the courage to do a white kitchen. This time, I decided on drawers and a white kitchen on my own! But I wouldn't have known about Never MT, Silgranit sinks or plugmolds, all of which I used -- the plugmold at the end of the island where a conventional plug would have been unsightly. Just recently, Bob_cville showed his Lee Valley clips for drawer dividers -- I'd seen them in the catalog but he showed how well they work, so they're on order. I saw many examples of pulled-forward sinks, and incorporated that in both sink run and the server on the opposite wall. I have a trash pullout and will eventually install a foot pedal. The cabinet folks dropped the ball on that. I used GWer's experiences, both good and bad, to guide my applaince selection. I "borrowed" the courage to confront when things weren't quite right. Without your example, I would probably have let some things go by. More importantly, maybe, has been the raised awareness level about so many things. I learned to be there if possible during four critical days: Cabinet install, countertop templating, countertop install, and appliance install. I'm retired, but if I were working, I'd take vacation days to cover those times! I can't believe how many little questions I answered! And, to be frank, there are a lot of things that I could see "in person" and say, "Very nice -- but I don't think that's for me!!" What a big help that's been in decision-making!! I've enjoyed each and every kitchen that's been shared, and really appreciated the time y'all have spent posting. We're moving in before May 1, so one of these days I'll have pics to share!!